{"id":465,"date":"2021-10-22T13:28:26","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T13:28:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/?p=465"},"modified":"2022-12-26T15:09:06","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T15:09:06","slug":"knowing-how-to-read-medicine-labels-saves-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/2021\/10\/22\/knowing-how-to-read-medicine-labels-saves-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Knowing how to read medicine labels saves lives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/2021\/10\/knowing-how-to-read-medicine-labels-saves-lives\/\" title=\"Knowing how to read medicine labels saves lives\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image lazyload\" alt=\"Senior woman talking on a phone and looking at the label on a medication bottle to ask about label and instructions side effects.\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"float: left; margin-right: 5px;\" link_thumbnail=\"1\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1.png 1000w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1-730x487.png 730w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1-550x367.png 550w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1-848x566.png 848w\"><\/a><\/p>\n<section class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left\">\n<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img width=\"1370\" height=\"535\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full lazyload\" alt=\"Senior woman talking on a phone and looking at the label on a medication bottle to ask about label and instructions side effects.\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"shutterstock_1928102861\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1370px) 100vw, 1370px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861.png 1370w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-730x285.png 730w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-550x215.png 550w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-848x331.png 848w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1140x445.png 1140w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1928102861-1170x457.png 1170w\"><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<p>Medication errors causes thousands of deaths every year. More than 30% of those errors are the result of <a href=\"Yoga%20has%20been%20around%20for%20many%20centuries.%20It%20originated%20in%20ancient%20India%20as%20a%20part%20of%20spiritual%20practices,%20and%20in%20its%20Hindu%20and%20Buddhist%20roots%20yoga%20wasn\u2019t%20specifically%20focused%20on%20physical%20fitness.%20But%20during%20the%2020th%20century,%20a%20new%20and%20different,%20secular%20version%20of%20yoga%20started%20emerging%20in%20the%20West.\">confusing medicine labels<\/a>.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve taken a lot of prescription medications or been a caregiver for someone who does, this might not surprise you. The average American reads at the 8<sup>th<\/sup> grade level, but medicine descriptions are written for college graduates.<sup>2<\/sup> Then there\u2019s the small print, the acronyms, the hard-to-find warning labels\u2026 Plus, the needlessly confusing instructions (I\u2019m looking at you, \u201cTake two tablets twice a day.\u201d)<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no wonder patients accidentally take the wrong dose at the wrong time.<\/p>\n<p>If this has happened to you, you\u2019re in good company. One study found that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacp.org\/article\/rethinking-prescription-labels\">88% of people find medicine labels confusing<\/a>.<sup>4<\/sup> But you may be at a higher risk of a medication error if you:<sup> 5<\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are 65 or older<\/li>\n<li>Have a chronic illness (because more medications means more opportunities to make a mistake)<\/li>\n<li>Live under the poverty line<\/li>\n<li>Speak English as a second language<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This calls for a redesign of medicine labels. It calls for simple, clear language and explicit instructions. But until we see better instruction labels, it\u2019s important to learn how to read the ones we have.<\/p>\n<p>One key problem is that drug labels contain so much information that people don\u2019t know where to look.<sup>5<\/sup> So instead of breaking down each section, they just don\u2019t read any of it.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that most medicine labels follow a similar design. If we can get familiar with the basic format, we\u2019re more likely to at least know where to look for instructions and important warnings.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a diagram of the sections you&#8217;ll see on most medicine labels:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center\">\n<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img width=\"1370\" height=\"770\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full lazyload\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PoB-Directions[80][1]\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1370px) 100vw, 1370px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801.jpg 1370w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-730x410.jpg 730w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-550x309.jpg 550w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-848x477.jpg 848w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-1140x641.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PoB-Directions801-1170x658.jpg 1170w\"><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h2><strong>Active ingredients<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This section lists the ingredients that make the drug work. It usually also includes the medicine\u2019s purpose.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Uses<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Uses shows what symptoms the drugs can treat (like headache, fever, etc.). Read this section to make sure this medicine will do what you need it to do.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Warnings <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Warnings details important safety information and any severe side effects that could occur. It also includes drugs that might interact badly with this one. It also tells you when you should call your doctor or pharmacist.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Directions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This section indicates how much of the medicine you should take and how often. Directions might be different for kids than for adults, so make sure you look for instructions by age if you\u2019re giving medicine to your child. It\u2019s important not to take more than the recommended amount of any medicine.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Other information<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This section includes how to store the medicine. Should it be refrigerated? Does it need to be stored in a cool, dry place? \u201cOther information\u201d will tell you that.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Inactive ingredients<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>These are the ingredients not listed in the first section. If you have allergies to dyes, preservatives or flavorings, this is the section to check.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Questions or concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This section, usually at the bottom of the label, provides contact information for when you have questions or comments about the medicine.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_separator wpb_content_element vc_separator_align_center vc_sep_width_100 vc_sep_pos_align_center vc_separator_no_text vc_sep_color_grey\"><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_l\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_r\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3035877\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3035877\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.good.is\/articles\/designing-a-better-bottle\">https:\/\/www.good.is\/articles\/designing-a-better-bottle<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthypeople.gov\/2020\/topics-objectives\/topic\/social-determinants-health\/interventions-resources\/health-literacy\">https:\/\/www.healthypeople.gov\/2020\/topics-objectives\/topic\/social-determinants-health\/interventions-resources\/health-literacy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>4] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacp.org\/article\/rethinking-prescription-labels\">https:\/\/www.aacp.org\/article\/rethinking-prescription-labels<\/a><\/p>\n<p>5] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3035877\/<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ctx-module-container ctx_default_placement ctx-clearfix\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"ctx-article-root\"><!-- --><\/span><\/section>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\/2021\/10\/knowing-how-to-read-medicine-labels-saves-lives\/\">Knowing how to read medicine labels saves lives<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.bcbsnc.com\">Point of Blue<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Medication errors causes thousands of deaths every year. More than 30% of those errors are the result of confusing medicine labels.1 If you\u2019ve taken a lot of prescription medications or been a caregiver for someone who does, this might not surprise you. The average American reads at the 8th grade level, but medicine descriptions are written for college graduates.2 Then there\u2019s the small print, the acronyms, the hard-to-find warning labels\u2026 Plus, the needlessly confusing instructions (I\u2019m looking at you, \u201cTake &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/2021\/10\/22\/knowing-how-to-read-medicine-labels-saves-lives\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Knowing how to read medicine labels saves lives&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=465"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":471,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465\/revisions\/471"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}